The Polish ship register PRS today welcomed developments in the EU investigation into class society activities.

“It seems that IACS will be open to all quality classification societies,” said a PRS statement. “PRS welcomes these new developments, but future practice will validate, as always, the adopted solutions.”

Facing a monopolised market was “difficult” over the past nine years, PRS added. The tonnage classified by PRS fell by half after the society lost its IACS membership in 2000. Its supervised fleet profile changed towards smaller vessels, which have posed new challenges for safety assurance.

PRS has often labelled IACS a “closed club” and was widely seen in shipping as the likely whistleblower behind the EU inquiry.

Fairplay Shipping News, 10 June 2009